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Kim Ukura

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Kim Ukura has served as the editor of the Morris Sun Tribune since August 2011. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2008 with degrees in English and journalism. She earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2010. Prior to returning to Morris to work at the Sun Tribune, she worked in trade publishing. She has been recognized by the Minnesota Newspaper Association for both business and public affairs reporting.

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MORRIS — The first six months of 2014 brought renovations at long-time area businesses, an electoral challenge and a major milestone for Morris Area's high school softball coach. Here's a look back at the year that was. January The first baby of 2014 was Flynn Dominic Copeland, born at Stevens Community Medical Center to Megan and Nate Copeland of Morris. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21 inches long at birth on Jan. 3 at 5:54 p.m. Flynn is the Copeland's first child. The community of Starbuck held a celebration for Dr.

MORRIS — The Morris Area School Board has contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association to help coordinate the search for a new superintendent. Under a timeline for the search, the district could have a new superintendent under contract for the 2015 — 2016 school year by March 2015. On Tuesday, Superintendent Diane Moeller said her phone has been ringing "off the hook" since the the job opening was posted online. "The word is out there and lots of people are excited about it," Moeller said. On Tuesday, the school board agreed that members of the superintendent search

MORRIS — On Monday, the Morris Area School Board approved the maximum levy amount allowed by the state for 2015, a decrease of about $335,000 or 9 percent compared to 2014. The district's total levy for taxes payable in 2015 is about $3.29 million. Finance Director Jeanne Maanum told the board that most of the decrease is a result of changes determined by the state.

MORRIS — Senior volunteers Jim and Lou Eystad are the most recent recipients of the Pay it Forward Stevens County award. Jim and Lou were nominated by Anne Hansen, who outlined their many volunteer activities in her nomination letter. The Eystads were surprised with the nomination at the Morris Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 20. "They chose to move back to Donnelly area in early 1990s after retiring from California. They chose to volunteer at all church and community things they noted would make life better — their age and the age of those they help has never mattered.

MORRIS — After hearing concerns from landowners about crop payments on Tuesday, the Stevens County Board of Commissioners delayed giving final approval and setting crop damage payments for an improvement project on County Ditch 30. Assistant Ditch Inspector Daniel Lissick, who oversaw the project, said he thought it was "very successful." "It got done in a timely and efficient manner and it would be great to do more of them," Lissick said. The board was asked to approve crop damage payments for crops on 23 parcels of land that were damaged during construction.

MORRIS — After many delays and much anticipation, Mi Mexico opened quietly in Morris on Monday afternoon. Mi Mexico is owned by Juan and Stephanie Cid, who also own the Mi Mexico restaurant in Benson. Anticipation in the community for the restaurant's opening has been growing for more than a year. The Cids have been trying to open a restaurant in Morris for the last three or four years, but had to wait until a suitable space opened up. However, it took longer than expected to make the necessary cosmetic and structural updates to their space in the City Center Mall.

MORRIS — On Tuesday, the Morris Planning Commission recommended approving a conditional use permit to Derek Gausman to open a K-Bid online auction collection site at the current site of West Central Implement, 1100 Atlantic Avenue. The planning commission made the following recommendations for the conditional use permit: • That the entire property be cleared of junk and debris prior to the start of the collection of any items for an online auction. • That the area be designated on the property where items will be placed for an online auction and that no items will be placed anywhere e

Morris Area High School ag instructor Nick Milbrandt is the most recent recipient of the Pay it Forward Stevens County Award. Milbrandt was surprised with the award at a pep fest at MAHS on Thursday, Dec. 18. The celebration included the "cheer squad" leading a chant for Milbrandt and a song by the Morris Area High School band. Milbrandt was nominated for the award by fellow teacher Peg Rinkenberger, who praised him for the big impact he has had on the community in just a short time. "No matter who seems to need help, Nick tends to show up," Rinkenberger wrote.